Injury Report: D’Angelo Russell out vs. Clippers, set to return soon

D’Angelo Russell isn’t ready to play against the Los Angeles Clippers, but his return from a shoulder injury is inching closer with a potential return date set.

Two crucial things have been missing at the start of 2020 for the Golden State Warriors — victories and D’Angelo Russell. A loss to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks registered Golden State’s sixth straight loss after previously setting their season-high win streak of four consecutive wins.

Russell’s injury against the Dallas Mavericks marked the start of the Warriors’ losing streak, and Golden State has struggled since. Russell collided with the Mavericks’ Slovenian star, Luka Doncic, in the third quarter of the game. However, Russell quickly returned to the bench after spending time down on the Chase Center floor. Russell re-entered the game to finish off a 35-point effort.

Since the collision, Russell’s dealt with a lingering shoulder injury that has taken him out of every game since the start of the new year. Russell’s been able to return to practice with the Warriors. Still, the team is being cautious with their 23-year-old All-Star, holding him out against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Russell missed nine-straight games early in the season with a hand injury, now six with a shoulder ailment, but he could be on his way back to Golden State’s starting lineup soon. The Louisville, Kentucky native could be set to return when the Warriors travel into the south over the weekend.

Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle reported Russell would return to action when the Warriors travel to Memphis on Sunday.

Prior to missing the past six games, Russell was playing at an All-Star level during the Warriors win-streak. Russell scored 30 or more points in three of his last four games. Without their 23-year-old All-Star guard, Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III have stepped up for Golden State, leading the team in scoring in each night without Russell.

Steve Kerr and the Warriors will need to lean on Robinson and Burks again when they arrive at the Staples Center. Against Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and the rest of the 26-12 Clippers, Golden State will need all the help they can get to end their losing streak.